Government of Canada Achieves Another Major Milestone in Bringing Cleaner Air to Canadians

Ottawa, July 31, 2002 - The Government of Canada has taken another step in its progressive plan to improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions from vehicles, engines and fuels, Environment Minister David Anderson announced today.

New regulations to reduce the sulphur content in on-road diesel fuel by 95 p. cent by June 2006 were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on July 31, 2002. Meanwhile, regulations reducing the level of sulphur in gasoline to an interim average level of 150 parts per million (ppm) took effect on July 1, 2002. A further reduction in the sulphur levels in gasoline to an average of 30 ppm will come into effect January 1, 2005.

"The Government of Canada is following through on its promise of cleaner fuels which in turn enables the introduction and effective operation of advanced emission control technologies for new vehicles sold in Canada," said Minister Anderson. "The cleaner fuels agenda is an integral part of the clean air agenda which includes less polluting vehicles, engines and fuels and significant health benefits for Canadians."

The new rules for low sulphur diesel fuel, combined with proposed, more stringent vehicle emission requirements for 2004 model year vehicles, and the low sulphur gasoline regulations now in effect, will protect the health of Canadians by significantly reducing air pollution. The resulting health benefits to Canadians will include reduced premature mortality, hospital admissions and asthma symptom days.

The Government of Canada is following through on its commitments under its 10 year plan of action for cleaner vehicles, engines and fuels, an integral part of its overall Clean Air agenda. Further regulations are still to come which will cover small off-road gasoline engines (such as those in snow blowers, lawnmowers, chain saws), off-road diesel engines such as those used in areas of construction and agricultural equipment, as well as outboard and personal water craft engines.

The Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations will limit the level of sulphur in diesel fuel used in on-road vehicles to a maximum of 15 ppm. This is a 95 p. cent reduction relative to today's limit of 500 ppm and will enable the use and effective operation of advanced emission control systems for future buses, trucks and other on-road vehicles using diesel engines. The new limit for sulphur content in diesel will also reduce the emissions of other air pollutants including sulphur dioxide and sulphates.

The new 15 ppm limit will come into effect on June 1, 2006, for producers and importers and on September 1, 2006, for sellers to allow for turnover of diesel supplies. In the Arctic regions, the limit on sales comes into effect a year later to allow for slower turnover and to reflect logistical difficulties in the far north. These new standards are aligned in timing and level with corresponding requirements in the United States.

The Government of Canada's 10-year Action Plan on Clean Air focuses on several key areas, including effective science, reporting and monitoring. Expansions are being planned to the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) to include air pollutants that contribute to smog and acid rain, and the National Air Pollution Surveillance network (NAPS) to improve Canada's monitoring effort. The Government of Canada is also working with provinces and territories to develop comprehensive emission-reduction strategies for a number of major industrial sectors in Canada. Canada-wide air quality standards include PM and Ozone, mercury, benzene, dioxins and furans.

Related documents:

• Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations - [Backgrounder, 2002-07-31]